Austria's JJ has emerged victorious at the Eurovision Song Contest with the poignant song "Wasted Love," while the UK finished in 19th place. Johannes Pietsch, the singer behind JJ, delivered a memorable performance in Basel, Switzerland, with black and white staging that evoked a disastrous boat trip, mirroring the song's theme of caring for someone overwhelmed.

The 24-year-old JJ expressed gratitude, saying "thank you Europe, I love you all" after reprising his winning song. The UK's public vote awarded its highest score of 12 points to Israel, which finished second, while the British jury gave no points to Israel. Israel accumulated 357 points, while Austria secured the win with 436 points.

JJ emphasized the importance of spreading love and advocating for beliefs at a press conference, stating, "Forget hate, love is the strongest force, and be active. Use your voice. You’re an advocate for what you believe in, and free. Just keep on fighting for what you believe in, and spread love."

When questioned about being the third consecutive queer artist to win, following Nemo from Switzerland and Loreen from Sweden, JJ noted the wins signify "amazing acceptance and equality for everyone," expressing happiness in representing the community.

This year's Eurovision was hosted in Basel, Switzerland, following Nemo's win with "The Code." The UK's girl group trio, Remember Monday, finished 19th with "What The Hell Just Happened?" despite receiving no public votes. They earned 88 points from national music industry juries, a slight improvement over Olly Alexander's 18th place in 2024. The group, comprised of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull, and Charlotte Steele, marked the first all-female British group act since Precious in 1999. Their performance featured Regency outfits and showcased their powerful voices in the genre-shifting song.

The show experienced disruptions when pro-Palestinian protesters approached the stage during Israel’s performance, leaving singer Yuval Raphael "shaken and upset." Security intervened, and Swiss police arrested two individuals, who were later released. A crew member was hit with paint but was reported to be "fine."

Favourites Sweden, with Kaj performing "Bara Bada Bastu", finished fourth, while Estonia’s Tommy Cash with "Espresso Macchiato" came third. The UK has won Eurovision five times, with the most recent win in 1997 by Katrina and The Waves. Other UK victories include Brotherhood Of Man (1976), Bucks Fizz (1981), Sandie Shaw (1967), and Lulu (joint winner in 1969).